Slide member, bicycle component using slide member, and fishing tackle component using slide member

ABSTRACT

A slide member is provided with a base material and a slide layer. The slide layer is disposed on at least a portion of the base material. The slide layer contains a solid lubricant and a plurality of hard particles, the hard particles being harder than the solid lubricant.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2013-207377, filed on Oct. 2, 2013, Japanese PatentApplication No. 2013-207378, filed on Oct. 2, 2013 and Japanese PatentApplication No. 2013-218457, filed on Oct. 21, 2013. The entiredisclosures of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2013-207377, 2013-207378and 2013-218457 are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a slide member, a bicycle componentusing the slide member, and a fishing tackle component using the slidemember.

2. Background Information

One type of slide member known in the prior art has a plated slide layerwhich incorporates fine particles of a fluorine compound as a solidlubricant, within a plated metal film of nickel or the like, formed on abase material (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication 4681161).The sliding performance of the member is enhanced by furnishing such aplated slide layer. The lubricating capabilities can be further improvedby increasing the content of the solid lubricant.

SUMMARY

When a slide layer containing a solid lubricant is furnished, thesliding performance of the member is enhanced, but the slide layer willbe softer than an ordinary plated metal layer, posing a risk of wear.

It is an object of the present invention to minimize wear of a slidelayer in a slide member, while still maintaining the sliding performanceof the slide layer.

The slide member according to the present invention is provided with abase material, and a slide layer situated on at least a portion of thebase material, and containing a solid lubricant and hard particlesharder than the solid lubricant.

With this slide member, a slide layer situated containing a solidlubricant and hard particles harder than the solid lubricant is situatedon the base material. Because the slide layer contains a solidlubricant, the sliding performance of the slide layer can be maintained.Additionally, because the slide layer contains hard particles, the slidelayer is harder, as compared with a case in which only a solid lubricantis contained. Therefore, wear of the slide layer can be minimized, whilestill maintaining the sliding performance of the slide layer.

The base material is of at least one selected from the group of metalsconsisting of iron, including stainless steel; aluminum; titanium; cladmaterials composed of layers of multiple metals; and alloys of these. Inthis case, the base material will be made of metal, and can haverelatively high corrosion resistance performance due to the slide layer,and therefore the slide member can be used outdoors.

The slide member may be further provided with an intermediate layersituated between the base material and the slide layer, and adapted forincreasing cohesion of the base material and the slide layer. The slidelayer and the intermediate layer are plated layers containing at leastone metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, tin, andzinc. In this case, furnishing the intermediate layer makes the slidelayer resistant to peeling from the base material. Moreover, because theslide layer and the intermediate layer are constituted by plated layerscontaining different types of easily-plated metals, the slide layer andthe intermediate layer are easy to form.

The slide member may be further provided with an intermediate layersituated between the base material and the slide layer, for increasingcohesion of the base material and the slide layer. The slide layer andthe intermediate layer are plated layers containing the same type ofmetal, selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, tin, andzinc. In this case, furnishing the intermediate layer makes the slidelayer resistant to peeling from the base material. Moreover, becauseplated layers containing the same type of easily-plated metal areemployed as the slide layer and the intermediate layer, cohesion of theslide layer and the intermediate layer can be increased.

The intermediate plated layer may contain a solid lubricant in a smallerquantity than the solid lubricant contained in the plated slide layer.In this case, because the intermediate plated layer contains a solidlubricant as well, albeit in a smaller quantity than the plated slidelayer, the sliding performance overall is even better, and cohesionbetween the plated slide layer and the intermediate plated layer isimproved further.

The solid lubricant may contain particles of at least one selected fromthe group consisting of boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide,polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylenecopolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer,polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer.

The solid lubricant may contain particles of a fluorine compound. Inthis case, there can be formed a fluorine compound-containing platedfilm that contains particles of a fluorine compound, whereby the slidingperformance of the plated slide layer can be enhanced.

The fluorine compound particle content may be between 30 and 70 vol %,inclusive. In this case, due to the high proportion of the fluorinecompound in the plated slide layer, the sliding performance of theplated slide layer is enhanced. Moreover, because the intermediateplated layer is situated between the plated slide layer and the basematerial, despite the fact that the content has been increased toachieve enhanced sliding performance, high cohesion can be maintainedbetween the base material and the plated slide layer.

The fluorine compound may be at least one selected from the groupconsisting of polytetrafluoroethylene,tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer,tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer,polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer.

The hard particles may be at least one selected from the groupconsisting of nanodiamond, ZrO₂, SiC (silicon carbide), Al₂O₃ (alumina),and BN (boron nitride).

The plated layer may be formed by an electroplating process. In thiscase, the thickness of the plated slide layer and the intermediateplated layer, as well as the content of the solid lubricant and the hardparticles within the plated slide layer and the intermediate platedlayer, can be controlled with high accuracy, by varying the currentvalue.

The present invention in another aspect provides a bicycle componentemploying the aforedescribed slide member. In this case, wear of theslide layer can be minimized, while maintaining the sliding performanceof the bicycle component.

The bicycle component may be a front sprocket. In this case, wear of theslide layer can be minimized, while maintaining the sliding performanceof the front sprocket.

The bicycle component may be a rear sprocket. In this case, wear of theslide layer can be minimized, while maintaining the sliding performanceof the rear sprocket.

The bicycle component may be a chain. In this case, wear of the slidelayer can be minimized, while maintaining the sliding performance of thechain.

The present invention in another aspect provides a fishing tacklecomponent having the aforedescribed slide member. In this case, wear ofthe slide layer can be minimized, while maintaining the slidingperformance of the fishing tackle component.

According to the present invention, because the slide layer contains asolid lubricant, the sliding performance of the slide layer can bemaintained. Additionally, because the slide layer contains hardparticles, the slide layer is harder, as compared with a case in whichonly a solid lubricant is contained. Therefore, wear of the slide layercan be minimized, while still maintaining the sliding performance of theslide layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a bicycle employing a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a crank assembly employing as the frontsprocket one that is a bicycle component according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional schematic view of the outer surface of afirst front sprocket;

FIG. 4 is a view of a modification example of the first embodiment,corresponding to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing a slide member;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a crank assembly employing as the frontsprocket one that is a bicycle component according to the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the crank assembly cutalong the cutting plane line VII-VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view of a first front sprocket of the second embodiment,corresponding to FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a view of a second front sprocket of the second embodimentcorresponding to FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a rear sprocket assembly according to a thirdembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a third rear sprocket;

FIG. 12 is a view of a third rear sprocket of the third embodiment,corresponding to FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a view of a modification example of the third embodiment,corresponding to FIG. 3;

FIG. 14 is a partly sectional plan view of a chain according to fourthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the chain;

FIG. 16 is a front view of a fishing line guide that is a fishing tacklecomponent according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a view of the fishing line guide, corresponding to FIG. 3;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of a pinion gear that is a fishingtackle component according to a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the pinion gear that is the fishingtackle component according to the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 is a view of the pinion gear, corresponding to FIG. 3; and

FIG. 21 is a view of other embodiments, corresponding to FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle field fromthis disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

The bicycle shown in FIG. 1, which employs multiple embodiments of thepresent invention, is known as a mountain bike, capable of travelingover uneven terrain. The bicycle is provided with a frame 1 havingdiamond-shaped frame body 2 and a front fork 3 that has a suspensionfunction; a handlebar part 4; a drive part 5; a front wheel 6; a rearwheel 7; a front brake device 9 f, and a rear brake device 9 r.

The frame body 2 of the frame 1 is constructed from welded pipe. Variousparts, including a saddle 13 and the drive part 5, are mounted onto theframe body 2. The front fork 3 is installed in swiveling fashion aboutan inclined axis, at the front part of the frame body 2.

The handlebar part 4 has a handlebar stem 14 fastened to the top part ofthe front fork 3, and a handlebar 15 fastened to the handlebar stem 14At the ends of the handlebar stem 15 are installed brake levers 16 foroperating the front brake device 9 f and the rear brake device 9 r. Theleft and right brake levers 16 are furnished with integrated or separateshift levers (not shown) for shift operation of a front external shiftdevice 18 f and a rear external shift device 18 r.

The drive part 5 has a crank assembly 20 furnished to a hanger part inthe bottom part of the frame body 2; a chain 17 engaged about the crankassembly 20; and the front external shift device 18 f and rear externalshift device 18 r. The front external shift device 18 f and the rearexternal shift device 18 r respectively have a front derailleur 19 f anda rear derailleur 19 r installed in the middle and rear parts of theframe 1. The front derailleur 19 f guides the chain 17 onto any of, forexample, three front sprockets furnished to the crank assembly 20. Therear derailleur 19 r guides the chain 17 onto any of, for example, ninerear sprockets of a rear sprocket assembly 11 installed on the hub ofthe rear wheel 7.

Embodiment 1

As shown in FIG. 2, the crank assembly 20 which employs a firstembodiment of the present invention is provided with a crank part 21,and a first front sprocket 22, a second front sprocket 23, and a thirdfront sprocket 24, in accordance with the first embodiment of thepresent invention. The crank part 21 has a crank arm 25 extending in aradial direction in relation to the center axis of rotation of the frontsprockets 22, 23, 24, and a sprocket attachment part 26 formedintegrally with the crank arm 25. The crank arm 25 has a pedalattachment part 25 a at the distal end, and a crank shaft attachmentpart 25 b at the basal end. The sprocket attachment part 26 has aplurality (for example, four) of attachment arms 26 a extending radiallyfrom the crank shaft attachment part 25 b as the center, and sprocketfastening parts 26 b furnished to the ends of the respective attachmentarms 26 a. In each of the sprocket fastening parts 26 b is formed athrough-hole 26 c through which is passed a threaded member (forexample, a bolt member), not illustrated, for fastening the first frontsprocket 22. In the first embodiment, the threaded members are screwedinto the first front sprocket 22. However, threaded members couldinstead be threaded together with nuts to fasten the first frontsprocket 22. The first to third front sprockets 22 to 24 are an exampleof a bicycle component.

The first front sprocket 22 has the greatest number of teeth, forexample, 42. When the first front sprocket 22 is attached to the crankshaft, not illustrated, it is situated to the outside away from theframe 1 (see FIG. 1) in the axial direction in relation to the centeraxis of rotation of the front sprockets 22, 23, 24. The second frontsprocket 23 is situated to the inside closer to the frame 1 in relationto the first front sprocket 22. The number of teeth of the second frontsprocket 23 is, for example, 32. The third front sprocket 24 is situatedto the inside closer to the frame 1 in relation to the second frontsprocket 23 in the axial direction. The number of teeth of the thirdfront sprocket 24 is, for example, 24.

The first front sprocket 22, the second front sprocket 23, and the thirdfront sprocket 24 have a first slide member 22 a, a second slide member23 a, and a third slide member 24 a, respectively. The first slidemember 22 a, the second slide member 23 a, and the third slide member 24a constitute the sprocket teeth of the respective sprockets, for meshingwith the chain 17 (see FIG. 1). The sprocket teeth are furnished to theoutermost side of the sprocket in radial directions, and are formed tobe thinner than a first attachment part 22 c located at the insidetherefrom in radial directions and intended to fasten to the sprocketattachment part 26 of the crank part 21 (the second attachment part ofthe second front sprocket 23 and the third attachment part of the thirdfront sprocket 24 are not illustrated). In the first embodiment, thefirst slide member 22 a and the first attachment part 22 c are formedintegrally. The second slide member 23 a and the second attachment part,as well as the third slide member 24 a and the third attachment part,are formed integrally as well. Consequently, a first stepped part 22 b,a second stepped part 23 b, and a third stepped part 24 b arerespectively formed, between the sprocket teeth and sections radiallyinside therefrom in the first to third front sprockets 22-24. The firstslide member 22 a, the second slide member 23 a, and the third slidemember 24 a are respectively situated radially to the outside, inrelation to the first stepped part 22 b, the second stepped part 23 b,and the third stepped part 24 b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first slide member 22 a of the first frontsprocket 22 is provided with a base material 30 constituting thesprocket teeth; a plated slide layer 32; and an intermediate platedlayer 34 situated between the base material 30 and the plated slidelayer 32, for increasing cohesion of the base material 30 and the platedslide layer 32. The plated slide layer 32 is an example of a slidelayer. The base material 30 is of at least one selected from a group ofmetals that includes iron (including stainless steel), aluminum,titanium, and copper (including brass); clad materials composed oflayers of multiple different metals (for example, aluminum and stainlesssteel or the like); and alloys of these. In the first embodiment, thebase material 30, including the first front sprocket 22 and the othersections, is made of aluminum alloy. The plated slide layer 32 and theintermediate plated layer 34 are plated layers containing at least onemetal selected from the group that includes nickel, copper, tin, andzinc. The plated slide layer 32 and the intermediate plated layer 34contain the same metal selected from the group that includes nickel,copper, tin, and zinc. In the first embodiment, the plated slide layer32 contains nickel.

As shown enlarged in part A in FIG. 3, the plated slide layer 32contains a solid lubricant 32 a and hard particles 32 b harder than thesolid lubricant 32 a. The solid lubricant 32 a contains particles of atleast one selected from the group consisting of boron nitride,molybdenum disulfide, polytetrafluoroethylene,tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymers,tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymers,polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and tetrafluoroethylene-ethylenecopolymers. In the first embodiment, the solid lubricant has particlesof a fluorine compound, including polytetrafluoroethylene,tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymers,tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymers,polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and tetrafluoroethylene-ethylenecopolymers. In the first embodiment, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) isselected as the fluorine compound. Consequently, in the firstembodiment, the plated slide layer 32 has a nickel plated layercontaining particles of a fluorine compound. The content of the fluorinecompound particles used as the solid lubricant 32 a in the firstembodiment is from 30 vol % to 70 vol %, inclusive, of the entire platedslide layer 32. In this embodiment, the content is from 40 vol % to 50vol %, inclusive.

The hard particles 32 b are at least one selected from the groupconsisting of nanodiamond, ZrO₂ (zirconium oxide), SiC (siliconcarbide), Al₂O₃ (alumina), and BN (boron nitride). In this embodiment,ZrO₂ (zirconium oxide) is selected for the hard particles 32 b. Thecontent of the hard particles 32 b is from 5 vol % to 20 vol % of theentire plated slide layer 32. In this embodiment, the content is from 5vol % to 10 vol % inclusive.

The intermediate plated layer 34 in the first embodiment has a firstintermediate plated layer 34 a and a second intermediate plated layer 34b. The first intermediate plated layer 34 a is formed on the outersurface of the base material 30. In the first embodiment, the firstintermediate plated layer 34 a contains, for example, zinc. The secondintermediate plated layer 34 b is formed between the first intermediateplated layer 34 a and the plated slide layer 32. The second intermediateplated layer 34 b contains, for example, nickel. Consequently, in thefirst embodiment, the plated slide layer 32 and the second intermediateplated layer 34 b contain the same type of metal (nickel). The firstintermediate plated layer 34 a and the second intermediate plated layer34 b contain no solid lubricant. The total thickness of the plated slidelayer 32 and the intermediate plated layer 34 is from 2 μmm to 20 μmm,inclusive. The thickness of the plated slide layer 32 is from 1 μmm to15 μmm, inclusive. The thickness of the intermediate plated layer 34 isfrom 1 μmm to 5 μmm, inclusive. In preferred practice, the thickness ofthe intermediate plated layer 34 is 50 percent or less of the thicknessof the plated slide layer 32. In the first embodiment, the thickness ofthe intermediate plated layer 34 is from 10 to 30 percent, inclusive, ofthe thickness of the plated slide layer 32. The plated slide layer 32and the intermediate plated layer 34 are formed by an electroplatingprocess. Therefore, the thickness of the plated slide layer 32 and theintermediate plated layer 34 is easily controlled.

The second slide member 23 a of the second front sprocket 23 and of thethird slide member 24 a of the third front sprocket 24 are comparable inconstitution to the first slide member 22 a of the first front sprocket22.

With the first slide member 22 a, the second slide member 23 a, and thethird slide member 24 a having the above constitution, the plated slidelayer 32 is not formed directly over the base material 30; rather, theintermediate plated layer 34 for increasing the cohesion of the basematerial 30 and the plated slide layer 32 is situated between the basematerial 30 and the plated slide layer 32. Therefore, despite theenhanced sliding capabilities of the plated slide layer 32, cohesionbetween the plated slide layer 32 and the intermediate plated layer 34,and cohesion between the intermediate plated layer 34 and the basematerial 30, is high, making the plated slide layer 32 resistant topeeling. Additionally, the hard particles 32 b are included in theplated slide layer 32, and therefore the plated slide layer 32 isharder, as compared with a case in which only the solid lubricant 32 ais contained, even if the plated slide layer 32 contains the solidlubricant 32 a. Therefore, wear of the plated slide layer 32 can beminimized, while still maintaining the sliding performance of the platedslide layer 32.

The base material 30 is made of lightweight aluminum, and as such can bea material with relatively high corrosion resistance capabilities,thereby reducing the weight of the first slide member 22 a to the thirdslide member 24 a as well as making them able to withstand outdoor use.Moreover, sliding resistance with respect to the chain 17 is low, andpower transmission efficiency can be improved. Additionally, the hardparticles 32 b are included in the plated slide layer 32, and thereforewear of the first to third front sprockets 22-24 by contact with thechain 17 can be reduced.

Modification Example of First Embodiment

In the modification example in FIG. 4, the second intermediate platinglayer 34 b′ of the intermediate plating layer 34′ differs from that inthe first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the second intermediateplating layer 34 b contained no solid lubricant; however, as shownenlarged in part A in FIG. 4, the second intermediate plating layer 34b′ contains a solid lubricant 32 a′, but in an amount less than that ofthe solid lubricant 32 a contained in the plated slide layer 32. Forexample, the solid lubricant 32 a′ content is from 5 vol % to 30 vol %,inclusive, of the entire second intermediate plating layer 34 b′. Inthis modification example, the content in the solid lubricant 32 a′ isfrom 10 vol % to 20 vol %, inclusive. In the modification example, thesolid lubricant 32 a′ is a fluorine compound comparable to the solidlubricant 32 a. The aforedescribed working effects can be achieved withthis sort of constitution as well. The type of solid lubricant is notlimited to the fluorine compounds employed in the first embodiment, butat least one type can be selected from the group given by way of examplein the first embodiment.

Next, the method of manufacturing the slide member according to thefirst embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5, taking theexample of the first front sprocket 22.

In the first front sprocket 22 serving as the base material, it ispreferable for sections, other than that for constituting the firstslide member 22 a, to be masked. Then, in Step S1, the section forconstituting the first slide member 22 a is subjected to a degreasingprocess using a degreasing detergent, producing a clean state on thesurface. In Step S2, the aluminum oxide film which has formed on thesurface of the first slide member 22 a of the first front sprocket 22 isremoved. In Step S3, the intermediate plated layer 34′ is formed.According to the first embodiment, in the intermediate plated layerformation process of Step S3, the first intermediate plated layer 34 ais formed over the base material 30, and then the second intermediateplated layer 34 b is formed over the first intermediate plated layer 34a. Here, the first intermediate plated layer 34 a is zinc (Zn) plated byan electroplating process, and the second intermediate plated layer 34 bnickel plated by an electroplating process. In the modification example,the second intermediate plated layer 34 b′ is formed through plating ofnickel containing a fluorine compound as a solid lubricant, by anelectroplating process. The vol % of the fluorine compound in the secondintermediate plated layer 34 b′ is less than that in the plated slidelayer 32. Once the second intermediate plated layer 34 b′ has beenformed, the plated slide layer 32 is formed thereon by an electroplatingprocess. The plated slide layer 32 is formed through plating of nickelcontaining fluorine compound particles as a solid lubricant 32 a andAl₂O₃ particles as the hard particles 32 b, by an electroplatingprocess. The thicknesses of the intermediate plated layer 34′ and theplated slide layer 32 are controlled to the values given above, throughthe electroplating process.

Embodiment 2

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a crank assembly 120 employing a secondembodiment of the present invention is provided with a crank part 121,and a first front sprocket 122 and second front sprocket 123 accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention. The first frontsprocket 122 and the second front sprocket 123 are examples of bicyclecomponents. The crank part 121 has a crank arm 125 extending along aradial direction in relation to the center axis of rotation of the frontsprockets 122, 223; and a sprocket attachment part 126 formed integrallywith the crank arm 125. The crank arm 125 has a pedal attachment part125 a at the distal end, and a crank shaft attachment part 125 b at thebasal end. The sprocket attachment part 126 has a plurality (forexample, four) of attachment arms 126 a extending radially from thecrank shaft attachment part 125 b as the center, and sprocket fasteningparts 126 b recessed into the distal ends of the respective attachmentarms 126 a. In each of the sprocket fastening parts 126 b is formed athrough-hole 126 c through which is passed a threaded fastening member(for example, a bolt member) 127 (see FIG. 7) which is threaded into thefirst front sprocket 122.

The first front sprocket 122 has the greatest number of teeth. Whenattached to the crankshaft, not illustrated, the first front sprocket122 is situated to the outside furthest away from the frame 1 (seeFIG. 1) in an axial direction in relation to the center axis of rotationof the front sprockets 122, 123. The second front sprocket 123 has fewerteeth than the first front sprocket 122, and is situated to the insidecloser to the frame 1 from the first front sprocket 122 in the axialdirection.

The first front sprocket 122 and the second front sprocket 123respectively have a first slide member 122 a and a second slide member123 a (see FIG. 7). The first slide member 122 a and the second slidemember 123 a constitute the sprocket teeth of the respective sprocketsfor meshing with the chain 17 (see FIG. 1.). The first slide member 122a is furnished furthest to the outside in a radial direction. The firstfront sprocket 122 further has a first attachment part 122 c installedso as to be rotatable in unison with the first slide member 122 a.Consequently, in the second embodiment, the first slide member 122 a isformed as a separate element from the first attachment part 122 c whichis situated to the inside in the radial direction therefrom and fastenedto the sprocket attachment part 126 of the crank part 121. The firstslide member 122 a is a member which is made of metal (for example, madeof titanium), while the first attachment part 122 c is a member made ofsynthetic resin (for example, made of carbon fiber-reinforced resin). Asshown by heavy lines in FIG. 7, in the first front sprocket 122 of thesecond embodiment, a plated slide layer 132 and an intermediate platedlayer 134, shown in FIG. 8, are formed on the surface of the first slidemember 122 a, which is a section made of metal. It is acceptable for theplated slide layer 132 and an intermediate plated layer 134 to befurnished only to portions (for example, to sections where the sprocketteeth are formed) of the first slide member 122 a. As shown in FIG. 7,the first attachment part 122 c has an outside member 122 d molded froma plurality of carbon fiber prepregs in a mold, and an inside member 122e situated facing the outside member 122 d. The inside member 122 e,like the outside member 122 d, is molded from a plurality of carbonfiber prepregs in a mold. The inside member 122 e is situated facingtowards the second front sprocket 123. The first attachment part 122 chas a nut attachment part 122 f made of synthetic resin (for example,synthetic resin such as polyimide resin, polyacetal resin, or the like)to which a nut member 122 g that threads together with the threadedmember 127 has been formed integrally, by an appropriate molding methodsuch as insert molding. The first slide member 122 a, the outside member122 d, the inside member 122 e, and the nut attachment part 122 f arefastened, for example, with an adhesive or by casting.

As shown by heavy lines in FIG. 7, the second slide member 123 a of thesecond front sprocket 123 is furnished radially to the outside from asecond stepped part 123 b constituting a section bordering a secondattachment part 123 c. Consequently, as in the first embodiment, in thesecond front sprocket 123, the second slide member 123 a and the secondattachment part 123 c are formed integrally.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first slide member 122 a of the first frontsprocket 122 in the second embodiment is provided with a base material130 constituting the sprocket teeth, a plated slide layer 132 containinga solid lubricant, and an intermediate plated layer 134 situated betweenthe base material 130 and the plated slide layer 132, for increasingcohesion of the base material 130 and the plated slide layer 132. Thebase material 130 is one type of metal selected from a group of metalsthat includes metals comparable to those in the first embodiment, andalloys thereof. In the second embodiment, the base material 130 is madeof titanium, for example. The plated slide layer 132 and theintermediate plated layer 134 are plated layers containing at least onemetal selected from a group of metals that includes metals comparable tothose in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the platedslide layer 132 contains nickel. As shown by an enlarged view in part Ain FIG. 8, the plated slide layer 132 further contains a solid lubricant32 a. The solid lubricant 32 a includes particles of at least one kindselected from the same group as in the first embodiment. In the secondembodiment, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is selected as the fluorinecompound. Consequently, in the second embodiment, the plated slide layer132 has a plated nickel layer containing particles of a fluorinecompound. In the second embodiment, the content of the fluorine compoundparticles serving as the solid lubricant 32 a is from 30 vol % to 70 vol%, inclusive, of the plated slide layer 132. In the second embodiment,the content is from 40 vol % to 50 vol %, inclusive. Additionally, thehard particles 32 b include at least one kind of particles selected fromthe same group as the first embodiment. ZrO₂ is also selected for thesecond embodiment, as in the first embodiment. The content of the hardparticles 32 b is the same as the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the intermediate plated layer 134 has a firstintermediate plated layer 134 a and a second intermediate plated layer134 b. The first intermediate plated layer 134 a is formed on the outersurface of the base material 130. In the second embodiment, the firstintermediate plated layer 134 a contains zinc, for example. The secondintermediate plated layer 134 b is formed between the first intermediateplated layer 134 a and the plated slide layer 132. The secondintermediate plated layer 134 b contains nickel, for example.Consequently, in the second embodiment, the plated slide layer 132 andthe second intermediate plated layer 134 b contain the same type ofmetal (nickel). The first intermediate plated layer 134 a and the secondintermediate plated layer 134 b contain no solid lubricants. The totalthickness of the plated slide layer 132 and the intermediate platedlayer 134 is from 2 μmm to 20 μmm, inclusive, and the thickness of theplated slide layer 132 is from 1 μmm to 15 μmm, inclusive. The thicknessof the intermediate plated layer 134 is from 1 μmm to 5 μmm, inclusive.In preferred practice, the thickness of the intermediate plated layer134 is 50 percent or less of the thickness of the plated slide layer132. In the second embodiment, the thickness of the intermediate platedlayer 134 is from 10 percent to 30 percent, inclusive, of the thicknessof the plated slide layer 132. The plated slide layer 132 and theintermediate plated layer 134 are formed by an electroplating process.In so doing, the thickness of the plated slide layer 132 and theintermediate plated layer 134 is easily controlled.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the second slide member 123 a of the second frontsprocket 123 of the second embodiment, the plated slide layer 132 havingthe solid lubricant 32 a and hard particles 32 b as shown by an enlargedview in part A in FIG. 9 is identical to that in the first slide member122 a of the first front sprocket 122, whereas the intermediate platedlayer 134′ is different. Specifically, the intermediate plated layer134′ is constituted of a plated layer of a single metal, namely, zinconly. The thickness of the intermediate plated layer 134′ is the same asthat of the first slide member 122 a of the first front sprocket 122.While the intermediate plated layer 134′ contains no solid lubricant, itwould be acceptable to contain a solid lubricant.

With the first slide member 122 a and the second slide member 123 ahaving the above constitution, the plated slide layer 132 is not formeddirectly over the base material 130; rather, the intermediate platedlayer 134 (or 134′) for increasing the cohesion of the base material 130and the plated slide layer 132 is situated between the base material 130and the plated slide layer 132. Therefore, despite the content of thesolid lubricant 32 a having been increased to enhance the slidingperformance of the plated slide layer 132, cohesion between the platedslide layer 132 and the intermediate plated layer 134 (or 134′), andcohesion between the intermediate plated layer 134 (or 134′) and thebase material 130, is high, making the plated slide layer 132 moreresistant to peeling. Additionally, the hard particles 32 b are includedin the plated slide layer 132, and therefore the plated slide layer 132is harder, as compared with a case in which only the solid lubricant 32a is contained, even if the plated slide layer 132 contains the solidlubricant 32 a. Therefore, wear of the plated slide layer 132 can beminimized, while still maintaining the sliding performance of the platedslide layer 132.

The base material 130 is made of lightweight, highly corrosion-resistanttitanium, thereby reducing the weight of the first slide member 122 aand the second slide member 123 a, as well as making them able towithstand outdoor use.

Embodiment 3

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a rear sprocket assembly 11 employing athird embodiment of the present invention has, for example, nine rearsprockets, i.e., a first rear sprocket 41 to a ninth rear sprocket 49,that differ in the number of teeth. The first rear sprocket 41 to theninth rear sprocket 49 are examples of a bicycle component. The firstrear sprocket 41 has the fewest number of teeth, for example, 11. Theninth rear sprocket 49 has the greatest number of teeth, for example,32. The numbers of teeth of the second rear sprocket 42 to the eighthrear sprocket 48 are set to appropriate numbers between these. The firstrear sprocket 41 to the ninth rear sprocket 49 are attached inintegrally rotating fashion to the rear hub of the rear wheel, notillustrated. FIG. 11 shows a third rear sprocket 43 as an example of arear sprocket. The third rear sprocket 43 has a slide member 43 aconstituting the sprocket teeth, and an attachment part 43 b situated atthe inner peripheral side of the slide member 43 a, for attachment tothe rear hub. The other rear sprockets similarly have a slide member andan attachment part. The slide member 43 a constitutes the sprocketteeth, and is furnished furthest radially outward. The border sectionbetween the slide member 43 a and the attachment part 43 b is shown by abroken line in FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 12, the slide member 43 a has a base material 230, aplated slide layer 232 containing a solid lubricant 32 a and hardparticles 32 b as shown by an enlarged view in part A in FIG. 12, and anintermediate plated layer 234 situated between the base material 230 andthe plated slide layer 232, for increasing the cohesion of the basematerial 230 and the plated slide layer 232. The base material 230 is atleast one type of metal selected from the group of metals cited by wayof example in the first embodiment; in the third embodiment, the basematerial 230 is made of iron, including stainless steel. The platedslide layer 232 is at least one metal selected from the group of aplurality of metals cited by way of example in the first embodiment; inthe third embodiment, a eutectic system of a solid lubricant 32 adispersed in nickel is selected. The solid lubricant 32 a is one kindselected from the group that includes a plurality of substances, citedby way of example in the first embodiment; in the third embodiment, asin the first embodiment, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is selected asthe fluorine compound. The hard particles 32 b are one kind selectedfrom the group that includes a plurality of substances, cited by way ofexample in the first embodiment; in the third embodiment, as in thefirst embodiment, ZrO₂ is selected. The intermediate plated layer 234 isat least one metal selected from the group of a plurality of metalscited by way of example in the first embodiment; in the thirdembodiment, nickel is selected. In the third embodiment, theintermediate plated layer 234 contains no solid lubricant. Theproportion of solid lubricant 32 a and hard particles 32 b in the platedslide layer and the intermediate plated layer, their thicknesses, andother features are the same as in the first embodiment, and thereforedescription is omitted.

With the rear sprocket assembly 11 according to the third embodimentconstituted as set forth above, in addition to the aforedescribedworking effects, the corrosion resistance of the rear sprocket assembly11 can be improved.

Modification Example of Third Embodiment

In the third embodiment, the base material 230 of the slide member 43 ais made of iron, including stainless steel; however, in the modificationexample shown in FIG. 13, the base material 230′ of the slide member 43a is made from clad material of stacked layers of different metals,rather than being made of iron. In the modification example of the thirdembodiment, for example, a clad material of aluminum between layers ofstainless steel is employed as the base material 230′. The plated slidelayer 232 having the solid lubricant 32 a and hard particles 32 b shownin enlarged view in part A in FIG. 13 and the intermediate plated layer234 are similar to those of the third embodiment.

Embodiment 4

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the chain 17 provided as a bicyclecomponent employing a fourth embodiment of the present invention haspairs of outside link plates 350, pairs of inside link plates 351situated in alternating fashion between pairs of the outside link plates350, linking pins 352 for linking together the linking plates 350, 351,and rollers 353 situated inside the pairs of inside link plates 351, androtatable about the axis of the linking pin 352.

The outside link plates 350 and the inside link plates 351 areplated-shaped members of gourd shape round at both ends, formed by beingpunched from sheet steel, including stainless steel, about 0.8 mm-1.0 mmin thickness, for example. Linking holes 350 b, 351 b through which thelinking pins 352 are able to be passed are formed respectively at bothends of the outside link plates 350 and the inside link plates 351. Theoutside link plates 350, the inside link plates 351, the linking pins352, and the rollers 353 respectively have slide members 350 a, 351 a,352 a, 353 a similar in constitution to the rear sprocket 43 shown inFIG. 12. The slide members 350 a, 351, 352 a, 353 a are furnished inareas shown by heavy lines in FIGS. 14 and 15. As shown in FIG. 12, theslide members 350 a, 351 a, 352 a, 353 a have a base material 230, aplated slide layer 232 containing the solid lubricant 32 a as shown byan enlarged view in part A in FIG. 12, and an intermediate plated layer234 situated between the base material 230 and the plated slide layer232, for increasing the cohesion of the base material 230 and the platedslide layer 232. The thickness of the plated slide layer 232 and theintermediate plated layer 234, the proportion of the solid lubricant 32a and hard particles 32 b therein, and other features are the same as inthe first embodiment, and therefore description is omitted.

With the chain 17 embodiment constituted as set forth above, in additionto the aforedescribed working effects, the slide resistance between thecrank assembly 20 and the rear sprocket assembly 11 can be reduced, andthe rotation transmission efficiency further improved. Moreover, thecorrosion resistance of the chain 17 can be increased.

Embodiment 5

Whereas the aforedescribed first to fourth embodiment described thepresent invention in terms of examples of bicycle components, in thefifth and subsequent embodiments, the present invention is described interms of fishing tackle components.

As shown in FIG. 16, a fishing line guide 454 employing the fifthembodiment is a member fastened to the outside peripheral surface of afishing pole 452. The fishing line guide 454 is an example of a fishingtackle component. The fishing line guide 454 has a fastener part 455fastening to the outside peripheral surface of the fishing pole 452; aleg part 456 rising up from the fastener part 455; a guide frame 457having a through-hole 457 a formed in the top end of the leg part 456and passing therethrough in the axial direction of the fishing pole 452;and a guide ring 458 fitting within the through-hole 457 a, throughwhich a fishing line L is able to be threaded.

The guide ring 458 is a ring member designed to enable a fishing line tobe threaded through the inside. The guide ring 458 has a slide member458 a. As shown in FIG. 17, the slide member 458 a has a base material430 of annular shape, a plated slide layer 432 containing a solidlubricant 32 a and hard particles 32 b as shown by an enlarged view inpart A in FIG. 17, and an intermediate plated layer 434 situated betweenthe base material 430 and the plated slide layer 432, for increasing thecohesion of the base material 430 and the plated slide layer 432. Thebase material 430 is, for example, an annular member made of hard metalsuch as stainless steel (SUS). The plated slide layer 432 and theintermediate plated layer 434 are formed to cover the entirecircumference of the base material 430. The constitution of the basematerial 430 is comparable to that of the third embodiment shown in FIG.12. The thickness of the plated slide layer 432 and the intermediateplated layer 434, the proportion of the solid lubricant 32 a and hardparticles 32 b therein, and other features are the same as in the firstembodiment, and therefore description is omitted.

With the fishing line guide 454 of the above constitution, in additionto the aforedescribed working effects, slide resistance against thefishing line is lower, and line problems can be reduced. Moreover, theguide ring 458 becomes resistant to wear even when in frequent contactwith the fishing line L.

Embodiment 6

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, a pinion gear 560 provided as a fishingtackle component employing a sixth embodiment may be used in a fishingreel, such as a double bearing reel, electrically powered reel, spinningreel, or the like. The pinion gear 560 has a slide member 560 a. Theslide member 560 a is a cylindrical member having a stepped through-hole560 b through the center of which a spool shaft passes. The slide member560 a is supported on a reel body, not illustrated, via bearings, insuch a way that both ends are rotatable and moveable in an axialdirection. The slide member 560 a has a clutch engagement part 560 c, agear part 560 d, and a constricted part 560 e. The clutch engagementpart 560 c is a slot for engaging a slot pin, not illustrated. The gearpart 560 d has gear teeth for meshing with a drive gear, not shown, thatturns in interlocking fashion when a handle is operated. The constrictedpart 560 e engages a clutch control mechanism for operating a clutchmechanism, not illustrated. The pinion gear 560 moves between an onposition at which the clutch engagement part engages the clutch pin, andan off position at which the clutch engagement part releases from theclutch pin.

As shown in FIG. 20, the slide member 560 a has a base material 530, aplated slide layer 532 containing a solid lubricant 32 a and hardparticles 32 b as shown by an enlarged view in part A in FIG. 20, and anintermediate plated layer 534 situated between the base material 530 andthe plated slide layer 532, for increasing the cohesion of the basematerial 530 and the plated slide layer 532. In the slide member 560 a,the plated slide layer 532 and the intermediate plated layer 534 areformed at locations indicated by heavy lines in FIG. 18 and at shadedlocations in FIG. 19. Consequently, in the sixth embodiment, the gearpart 560 d in the slide member 560 a is not furnished with the platedslide layer 532 and the intermediate plated layer 534. The reason isthat while these plated layers are formed in the course of the piniongear 560 manufacturing process, the gear part 560 d is formed by cuttingwork in the final stage of manufacture. A plating process may beperformed once the gear part has been formed, to furnish the gear partwith a plated slide layer and an intermediate plated layer as well.

As shown in FIG. 20, the base material 530 is made of one type of metalselected from the group of metals cited by way of example in the firstembodiment. In the sixth embodiment, brass is selected. The basematerial 530 may be made of stainless steel as well. The brass ishigh-strength brass of high strength. The plated slide layer 532 is atleast one metal selected from the group of a plurality of metals citedby way of example in the first embodiment; in the sixth embodiment, aeutectic system in which the solid lubricant 32 a is dispersed in nickelis selected. The solid lubricant is one kind selected from the groupthat includes the plurality of substances cited by way of example in thefirst embodiment; in the sixth embodiment, as in the first embodiment,polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is selected as the fluorine compound. Thehard particles 32 b are one kind selected from the group that includesthe plurality of substances cited by way of example in the firstembodiment; in the sixth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, ZrO₂ isselected. The intermediate plated layer 534 is at least one metalselected from the group of a plurality of metals cited by way of examplein the first embodiment; in the sixth embodiment, copper is selected. Inthe sixth embodiment, the intermediate plated layer 534 contains nosolid lubricant. The thickness of the plated slide layer 532 and theintermediate plated layer 534, the proportion of the solid lubricant 32a and hard particles 32 b therein, and other features are the same as inthe first embodiment, and therefore description is omitted.

With the pinion gear according to the sixth embodiment constituted inthe above manner, in addition to the aforedescribed working effects, therotation efficiency is improved due to the fact that the plated slidelayer is formed to include both ends which are supported by bearings.Moreover, slide resistance when moving in the axial direction to the onposition and the off position is low, and on-off operation of the clutchis smooth.

Other Embodiments

While the present invention has been described above in terms of thepresently preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited tothe aforedescribed embodiments, and various modifications are possiblewithout departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, it ispossible for any of the plurality of embodiments and modificationexamples set forth in the description to be combined as needed.

(a) In the preceding embodiments, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) isselected as the fluorine compound for the solid lubricant, but thepresent invention is not limited to this. The solid lubricant maycontain particles of at least one selected from the aforementioned groupthat includes boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide,polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylenecopolymers, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymers,polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and tetrafluoroethylene-ethylenecopolymers.

(b) In the preceding embodiments, a nickel plated layer was cited as anexample of the plated slide layer, but the present invention is notlimited to this. The plated slide layer may contain metals selected fromthe group consisting of nickel, copper, tin, and zinc.

(c) In the preceding embodiments, crank assembly sprockets, rearsprocket assembly sprockets, and a bicycle chain were cited as examplesof bicycle components, while a fishing line guide and a pinion gear werecited as examples of fishing tackle components; however, the presentinvention is not limited to these. The bicycle component having theslide member according to the present invention may also be, forexample, a control cable capable of linking a brake device and brakeoperation device, or a gearshift device and a gearshift operationdevice, and the like. The slide member according to the presentinvention may also be employed in the lever section of the brake lever16, or in a sliding section in an internal or external gearshift device.As fishing tackle components, the slide member may be employed in areeling spool, a thread section for drag adjustment, or a fishhook.

(d) In the preceding embodiments, ZrO₂ was cited as an example of hardparticles 32 b; however, the present invention is not limited to this.The hard particles may also be at least one kind selected from the groupconsisting of nanodiamond. ZrO₂, SiC (silicon carbide), Al₂O₃ (alumina),and BN (boron nitride).

(e) In the preceding embodiments, the slide layer was a plated slidelayer, but the present invention is not limited to this. The slide layermay also be a layer aside from the plated layer. For example, the layermay be formed by ion plating or other thin film formation processes.

(f) In the preceding embodiments, a middle layer was furnished, but asshown in FIG. 21, A slide layer 632 containing a solid lubricant 32 aand hard particles 32 b on a base material 630 may be directly formedwithout furnishing a middle plated layer.

(g) The combinations of base materials, intermediate plated layers, andplate slide layers shown in the preceding embodiments are applicable inother embodiments as well.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of theembodiments according to the present invention are provided forillustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A slide member comprising: a base material; and aslide layer disposed on at least a portion of the base material, and theslide layer containing a solid lubricant and a plurality of hardparticles, the hard particles being harder than the solid lubricant. 2.The slide member according to claim 1, wherein the base materialincludes at least one metal selected from the group consisting of iron,stainless steel, aluminum and titanium.
 3. The slide member according toclaim 1, further comprising an intermediate layer disposed between thebase material and the slide layer, and the intermediate layer increasingcohesion of the base material and the slide layer, and the slide layerand the intermediate layer being plated layers containing at least onemetal selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, tin andzinc.
 4. The slide member according to claim 1, further comprising anintermediate layer disposed between the base material and the slidelayer, and the intermediate layer increasing cohesion of the basematerial and the slide layer, the slide layer and the intermediate layerbeing plated layers containing metal of the same type selected from thegroup consisting of nickel, copper, tin, and zinc.
 5. The slide memberaccording to claim 3, wherein the intermediate layer contains a solidlubricant in a smaller quantity than the solid lubricant contained inthe slide layer.
 6. The slide member according to claim 3, wherein theintermediate layer contains no solid lubricant.
 7. The slide memberaccording to claim 1, wherein the solid lubricant contains particles ofat least one selected from the group consisting of boron nitride,molybdenum disulfide, polytetrafluoroethylene,tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer,tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer,polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer.8. The slide member according to claim 1, wherein the solid lubricantcontains particles of a fluorine compound.
 9. The slide member accordingto claim 8, wherein the solid lubricant has a content of the particlesthe fluorine compound particles in a range from 30 to 70 vol %,inclusive.
 10. The slide member according to claim 8, wherein thefluorine compound is at least one selected from the group consisting ofpolytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylenecopolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer,polychlorotrifluoroethylene and tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer.11. The slide member according to claim 1, wherein the hard particlesare at least one selected from the group consisting of nanodiamond,ZrO₂, SiC (silicon carbide), Al₂O₃ (alumina), and BN (boron nitride).12. The slide member according to claim 3, wherein the plated layer isan electroplated layer.
 13. A bicycle component including the slidemember according to claim
 1. 14. The bicycle component according toclaim 13, wherein the bicycle component is a front sprocket.
 15. Thebicycle component according to claim 13, wherein the bicycle componentis a rear sprocket.
 16. The bicycle component according to claim 13,wherein the bicycle component is a chain.
 17. A fishing tackle componentfor use in fishing tackle, the fishing tackle component including theslide member according to claim 1.